The town was known for centuries as Fuenterrabía, but 22 years ago it recovered its original Basque name of HONDARRIBIA (which translates as “sandy ford”).
The area has been inhabited since Palaeolithic times. The Romans shipped ore mined nearby from its bay. Due to its strategic location, the town was fortified in the Middle Ages, first by the Kings of Navarre and later by the Kings of Castile. The current structure of strong walls, bastions, drawbridges and moats dates from the Renaissance period.

The town and its people came under siege on at least 9 occasions at different times in history. The worst siege, from which it emerged victorious, was in 1638. This victory is commemorated every year on September 8th in the Alarde de Armas (“trooping of arms”), a procession to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron of Hondarribia.
The walled old quarter stands on top of a hill. Within its confines the layout of the cobbled streets is surprisingly regular and there are many fine buildings with wrought-iron balconies and broad, carved eaves.
On Calle Mayor stand the Palacio de Casadevante (which now houses the HOTEL PAMPINOT), the Palacio Zuloaga, now used as the Town Hall and the 15th century Gothic style church of Santa María del Manzano. In the nearby Plaza de Armas square stands a castle originally built in the late 12th century by the prince who was to become King Sancho VII the Strong of Navarre. Built on the foundations of an earlier, 10th century construction, it was later enlarged and fortified in 1194 by its builder on the instructions of his father Sancho VI the Wise. The current facade dates from the time of Emperor Carlos V, by whose name the castle is now known.
Over the centuries, the merits of its citizens have resulted in numerous titles being bestowed on Hondarribia.

1203 – The town charter was granted.
1598 – The town was permitted to describe itself as “Most Noble and Loyal”
1639 – Most Noble, Most Loyal and Most Valiant
1799 – Always Most Loyal
1901 – Permission was given for the use of the term “Most Excellent Town Council”
1963 – The entire Old Quarter was awarded historic monument status